An exchange student from Colombia is being held on child sex abuse charges after being accused of inappropriately touching a 9-year-old girl.

Robert Alex Saldarriaga-Yepes, 19, of New Market, Md., is charged with sex abuse of a minor, a second-degree sex offense, third-degree sex offense and second-degree child abuse.

Saldarriaga-Yepes is accused of abusing the girl on several occasions at her home between November and December 2011.

The girl and her mother reported the abuse Wednesday to Mount Airy Christian School, where the girl and Saldarriaga-Yepes are students, according to charging documents filed in Frederick County District Court.

A sheriff's office investigator and a Child Protective Services agent interviewed the girl at the school. The investigator then interviewed Saldarriaga-Yepes, who admitted touching the girl inappropriately, the documents state.

Saldarriaga-Yepes also wrote a letter of apology to the girl and her parents.

The Rev. Marvin Patrick, Mount Airy Christian School director, sent an email to parents Friday informing them of the accusations and Saldarriaga-Yepes' arrest.

"On Wednesday, December 5, we were informed of an incident involving a MACA student," the email states.

"Alex Saldarriaga inappropriately touched a minor. The incident did not take place on school grounds, nor at a school or church event. The MACA administration immediately notified Child Protective Services and the police. Alex has been taken into custody.

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There is an ongoing investigation and we are complying fully with the authorities. Please respect the privacy of the parties involved, and join us in praying that God will heal the pain.

"I also want to remind you that your children are safe at MACA. We will continue to watch over them and protect them. We are the same school after this incident as we were before it. You can be assured that the school you chose for your children will continue to be a safe haven for them."

Saldarriaga-Yepes was being held Friday at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center in lieu of $65,000 bail.